mouse reviewed All Systems Red by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #1)
what a fun little read
it's hard to pull off a sardonic robot protagonist, and I think this did it
Hardcover, 176 pages
Published Jan. 22, 2019 by Tor.com.
it's hard to pull off a sardonic robot protagonist, and I think this did it
A fun, quick sci-fi read.
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. The idea is simple enough. "Murderbots" are engineered constructs comprised of biological and mechanical components. They're created to kill things and follow orders but are capable of more under certain circumstances, such as those created via a hacked or malfunctioning "governing module." This is the story of one such entity, caught up in an unusual scenario when a "simple planetary survey mission" goes sideways. It's a solid read and works, both as a standalone and as the setup for the "Murderbot Diaries" series it kicks off. Highly recommended for those seeking a fast-paced, charming, and generally-lighthearted (despite a few somewhat-grim moments) introduction to modern science fiction but veterans of the genre will likely find a lot to enjoy as well.
Bit of a quick read, but not going to complain. Personally I liked the storyline, the humour of the murderbot too.
I may or may not be (read : I am currently) throwing money at the other books right now.
I haven't been so compelled to read since a teenager. Murderbot sucked me in completely.